MATCH REPORT: vs Oldham RLFC - Pre-season

Rochdale Hornets were beaten 18-14 by Oldham in our second pre-season outing at the Vestacare Stadium.

Luke Forber, Duane Straugheir and Ben O'Keefe scored tries for Hornets, although Joe Hartley's try snatched the Law Cup for the hosts at the death.   

Connor Ratcliffe and Anthony Bowman, who signed for the club last week, both made their Hornets debuts after starting as interchanges. 

Oldham saw more of the possession and had the better of the attacking opportunities in the opening 20 minutes, however, Hornets stood firm and were equal in defence to attacks. 

Zach Braham, who had been a brick wall in the Hornets defensive line, almost scored the opening try of the match on Rochdale's first real visit to the Oldham line. 

Oldham initially held the ball up after the prop charged through the line, however, Hornets recycled play out to the left where Forber was to dive over in the corner. Goal missed. 0-4. 

The first points on the board gave Rochdale confidence, and despite Oldham's attacking pressure, Hornets stayed strong defensively. 

The hosts thought they scored on the half hour when one Ethan Ferry powered through, however, a forward pass ruled out a levelling try. 

Hornets extended their lead two minutes before the break when Straugheir crossed for his first Hornets try. Cian Tyrer's break started the move, and after working play wide on the last tackle, the ball was shipped to the Rochdale captain who could not be kept out. Goal missed. 0-8. 

Half time: Oldham RLFC 0-8 Rochdale Hornets

Likewise to the first-half, Oldham came out the blocks firing as they looked for a way back into the contest. 

Twice Oldham went through sets within 20m of the Hornets tryline, but on each occasion Gary Thornton's side stood firm to keep their lead intact.  

Time was stopped on the hour for a lengthy period when former Hornet Lewis Sheridan was stretchered off with a knee injury following a tackle. Oldham head coach Stuart Littler confirmed after the match that Sheridan had been taken to hospital with a suspected dislocation.

When play resumed, and still within the same set, Oldham opted to kick on the last tackle to which Calvin Wellington rose highest to knock the ball back into Ferry's hands to score the hosts' first try of the match. Former Super League goal-kicker Martyn Ridyard added the extras. 6-8, 62 minutes. 

Rochdale responded instantly to restore their eight point lead, scoring within five minutes of Oldham crossing. Forber claimed Joe Purcell's restart, and after a set-reset, Dave Hewitt neatly kicked through to O'Keefe who picked up to run in under the posts. Hewitt successfully kicked the goal. 6-14, 66 minutes. 

Hornets had defended strongly throughout, however, a lapse in discipline allowed Oldham to score a second. Twice Rochdale conceded set-resets 20m out, before Oldham worked the ball out to former Hornet Zac Baker who powered over. Goal scored. 12-14, 75 minutes. 

Oldham's winner came two minutes from the end. The hosts kept the ball alive on the final tackle, and despite a Hornets player receiving treatment for a head injury on the tryline, play was allowed to continue as the ball was kicked across to Hartley who scored. Goal attempt successful.  

Full time: Oldham RLFC 18-14 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets starting line-up: Joe Purcell, Cian Tyrer, Ben O'Keefe, Will Cooke, Dan Harrison, Lewis Else, Dave Hewitt, Zach Braham, Aiden Roden, Ben Killman, AJ Boardman, Duane Straugheir (C), Connor Aspey. 

Interchanges: Cameron Berry, Jack Arnold, Toby Brannan, Ethan O’Hanlon, Cole Connolly, Connor Ratcliffe, Andy Clarke, Luke Forber, Anthony Bowman. 

Tries: Forber. Straugheir, O'Keefe